Khan Academy: D. W. Griffith, 'The Mothering Heart'

D. W. Griffith was the most popular director of the silent era. During the year 1913, he made dozens of films. The most important is "The Mothering Heart", starring Lillian Gish. She is a young bride and is rather Victorian. She is trying to make her home comfortable and pleasing for her husband. She takes an interest in baby clothes, signaling to the audience that she's pregnant. Her husband is more interested in the life in the city. He meets what is called an "idol lady", and they begin an affair. He comes home and is not satisfied with the lack of sophistication that his wife shows him. What is really fascinating about this film, is the way Lillian Gish's character transforms into a modern woman. She leaves her husband and has her baby; she refuses to take him back. [2:00]